Suns’ Royce O’Neale Sidelined with Left Ankle Sprain, Return Timeframe Uncertain

In a significant blow to their playoff aspirations, the Phoenix Suns are facing an uncertain wait over the return of starting forward Royce O’Neale, who has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain.

Injury Details

O’Neale suffered the injury during the Suns’ 118-114 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. He landed awkwardly after attempting to contest a shot, and immediately clutched his ankle in pain. He was helped off the court and did not return to the game.

An MRI on Thursday confirmed the sprain, but the severity of the injury is still being evaluated. The Suns have not yet provided a specific timeline for his return, but it is likely to be at least a few weeks.

Impact on the Suns

O’Neale has been a key contributor for the Suns this season, averaging 10.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. He is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions, and his absence will be a major setback for the team.

The Suns are currently ranked fourth in the Western Conference with a 33-29 record. They are just one game ahead of the fifth-place Denver Nuggets and two games ahead of the sixth-place Golden State Warriors. With O’Neale out, the Suns will have to rely on other players to step up and fill the void.

Possible Replacements

The most likely candidate to replace O’Neale in the starting lineup is forward Mikal Bridges. Bridges is a similar player to O’Neale in terms of his size, athleticism, and defensive versatility. He is averaging 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game this season.

Another option for the Suns is to insert veteran forward Torrey Craig into the starting lineup. Craig is a strong defender who can provide some scoring and rebounding as well. He is averaging 7.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game this season.

Return Timeframe

The severity of O’Neale’s ankle sprain will ultimately determine his return timeframe. If it is a mild sprain, he could be back on the court in a matter of weeks. However, if it is a more severe sprain, he could be out for a month or more.

The Suns will be closely monitoring O’Neale’s progress and will provide updates on his condition as they become available.

Conclusion

The Suns’ playoff hopes have taken a hit with the injury to Royce O’Neale. The team will have to rely on other players to step up and fill the void, but it will be a challenge to replace his versatility and defensive presence.

The Suns will be hoping that O’Neale’s injury is not too severe and that he can return to the court soon. However, they will need to be prepared for the possibility that he could be out for an extended period of time.